The question looming around in the minds of athleisure lovers is can you bargain on a pair of leggings and still receive great quality, or do you have to fork over the money in order to obtain it?

Some students veer toward commonly known brands offering expensive leggings when hunting for a new pair. Those are well-known athletic brands, such as Lululemon, Athleta, Under Armour and Nike.

“Lululemon has a higher quality line of athleisure wear,” said Hannah Formaro, a sophomore in criminal justice studies. “Their leggings are very breathable for everyday wear to athletic wear.”

On the other hand, other students are willing to dig deep into the clothing racks for deals on leggings. T.J. Maxx carries a wide variety of legging from brands like Mondetta, 90 Degree, MPG Sport and occasionally popular brands like Nike and Under Armour at a cheaper cost.

“I can always find an affordable pair of leggings at T.J. Maxx,” said Marin McDonough, a sophomore in open option. “The only downfall is they do not hold up as well as other brands and they stretch out really quick.”

Other stores like Forever 21, Victoria Secret and GAP offer their own athleisure lines. Another option is online subscriptions to sites such as Fabletics, SweatStyle and more.

“I got a membership with Fabletics because of its pretty great deals,” said McDonough. “I have done my research by reading reviews, which compare the two, Fabletics leggings and Lululemon leggings. I would have to say I can get a pair of Fabletics leggings for a cheaper cost and receive Lululemon quality.”

The costlier brands have their ups and downs with their apparel, specifically with leggings. Even the low-priced leggings you discover can be worth it in the end but could also cost you in a couple months.

“I have experienced buying expensive pairs from Victoria Secret and ending up completely see through,” said Faith Hamilton, a sophomore in criminal justice studies. “It was definitely not worth it but then I found some others from the same store that work out great.”

Inexpensive and expensive leggings are a hit or miss. Some might have found a good pair of leggings while others may have had a bad experience.

For McDonough, she has had a pair of Nike leggings for years and they have held up well. She even mentioned they passed the squat test.

On the other hand, Formaro purchased a pair of Nike leggings for about $80 and they ripped in the first year.

“Because of this experience, I thought why not pay $20 more for a Lululemon pair,” said Formaro. “I have had a pair since sophomore year of high school. Honestly, it was worth the money in the long run.”

Giving a try to various brands is the best route to figuring out this mystery. You may find yourself raving over a discounted pair but at the same time you may fall in love with some leggings that could cut your paycheck in half at the end of the month.

Everyone is different with their own tastes, so find out for yourself. Consider the different types of materials in leggings before buying a pair, as each material is made for a certain purpose. Some are better for working out, while others are for casual wear or for cold temperatures.

“You get what you pay for it in the end. The more you pay for a pair of leggings the better quality you will receive,” Hamilton said.